Rwanda chief of state: President Paul KAGAME (since 22 April 2000) head of government: Prime Minister Bernard MAKUZA (since 8 March 2000) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: last held 25 August 2003 (next to be held NA 2008) election results: Paul KAGAME elected president in first direct popular vote; Paul KAGAME 95.05%, Faustin TWAGIRAMUNGU 3.62%, Jean-Nepomuscene NAYINZIRA 1.33%

Saint Helena chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) head of government: Governor and Commander in Chief David HOLLAMBY (since 1999); Michael CLANCY (taking office in October 2004) cabinet: Executive Council consists of the governor, two ex officio officers, and six elected members of the Legislative Council elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor is appointed by the monarch

Saint Kitts and Nevis chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Cuthbert Montraville SEBASTIAN (since 1 January 1996) head of government: Prime Minister Dr. Denzil DOUGLAS (since 6 July 1995) and Deputy Prime Minister Sam CONDOR (since 6 July 1995) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general in consultation with the prime minister elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the governor general is appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; deputy prime minister appointed by the governor general

Saint Lucia chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Dame Pearlette LOUISY (since September 1997) head of government: Prime Minister Kenneth Davis ANTHONY (since 24 May 1997) and Deputy Prime Minister Mario MICHEL (since 24 May 1997) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the governor general is appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; deputy prime minister appointed by the governor general

Saint Pierre and Miquelon chief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC of France (since 17 May 1995), represented by Prefect Albert DUPUY (since 10 January 2005) head of government: President of the General Council Marc PLANTAGENEST (since NA) cabinet: NA elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held, first round - 21 April 2002, second round - 5 May 2002 (next to be held NA 2007); prefect appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior; president of the General Council is elected by the members of the council

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir Fredrick Nathaniel BALLANTYNE (since 2 September 2002) head of government: Prime Minister Ralph E. GONSALVES (since 29 March 2001) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the governor general is appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; deputy prime minister appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister

Samoa chief of state: Chief Tanumafili II MALIETOA (cochief of state from 1 January 1962 until becoming sole chief of state 5 April 1963) head of government: Prime Minister Sailele Malielegaoi TUILA'EPA (since 1996); note - TUILA'EPA served as deputy prime minister from 1992 until he assumed the prime ministership in 1996, when former Prime Minister TOFILAU Eti Alesana resigned in poor health; TUILA'EPA was confirmed as prime minister (November 1998) after TOFILAU died; the post of deputy prime minister is currently vacant cabinet: Cabinet consists of 12 members, appointed by the chief of state with the prime minister's advice elections: upon the death of Chief Tanumafili II MALIETOA, a new chief of state will be elected by the Legislative Assembly to serve a five-year term; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party is usually appointed prime minister by the chief of state with the approval of the Legislative Assembly

San Marino chief of state: cochiefs of state Captain Regent Giuseppe ARZILLI and Captain Regent Roberto RASCHI (for the period 1 October 2004-31 March 2005) head of government: Secretary of State for Foreign and Political Affairs Fabio BERARDI (15 December 2003) cabinet: Congress of State elected by the Great and General Council for a five-year term elections: cochiefs of state (captains regent) elected by the Great and General Council for a six-month term; election last held NA September 2004 (next to be held March 2005); secretary of state for foreign and political affairs elected by the Great and General Council for a five-year term; election last held 13 December 2003 (next to be held June 2006 when general elections are scheduled) election results: Giuseppe ARZILLI and Roberto RASCHI elected captains regent; percent of legislative vote - NA%; Fabio BERARDI elected secretary of state for foreign and political affairs; percent of legislative vote - NA% note: the popularly elected parliament (Grand and General Council) selects two of its members to serve as the Captains Regent (cochiefs of state) for a six-month period; they preside over meetings of the Grand and General Council and its cabinet (Congress of State), which has 10 other members, all selected by the Grand and General Council; assisting the captains regent are 10 secretaries of state; the secretary of state for Foreign Affairs has assumed some of the prerogatives of a prime minister

Sao Tome and Principe chief of state: President Fradique DE MENEZES (since 3 September 2001) head of government: Prime Minister Damiao Vaz DE ALMEIDA (since 17 September 2004) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the proposal of the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 29 July 2001 (next to be held NA July 2006); prime minister chosen by the National Assembly and approved by the president election results: Fradique DE MENEZES elected president in Sao Tome's third multiparty presidential election; percent of vote - NA%

Saudi Arabia chief of state: King and Prime Minister FAHD bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (since 13 June 1982, but largely incapacitated since late 1995); Crown Prince and First Deputy Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud since 13 June 1982, also Saudi Arabian National Guard Commander since 1963 and de facto ruler since early 1996; note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: King and Prime Minister FAHD bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (since 13 June 1982, but largely incapacitated since late 1995); Crown Prince and First Deputy Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud since 13 June 1982, also Saudi Arabian National Guard Commander since 1963 and de facto ruler since early 1996; note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Council of Ministers is appointed by the monarch and includes many royal family members elections: note - in October 2003, Council of Ministers announced its intent to introduce elections for half of the members of local and provincial assemblies and a third of the members of the national Consultative Council or Majlis al-Shura, incrementally over a period of four to five years; in November 2004, the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs initiated voter registration for partial municipal council elections scheduled nationwide for February through April 2005

Senegal chief of state: President Abdoulaye WADE (since 1 April 2000) head of government: Prime Minister Macky SALL (since 21 April 2004) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister in consultation with the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term under new constitution; election last held 27 February and 19 March 2000 (next to be held 27 February 2005); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Abdoulaye WADE elected president; percent of vote in the second round of voting - Abdoulaye WADE (PDS) 58.49%, Abdou DIOUF (PS) 41.51%

Serbia and Montenegro chief of state: President Svetozar MAROVIC (since 7 March 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Svetozar MAROVIC (since 7 March 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Federal Ministries act as Cabinet elections: president elected by the Parliament for a four-year term; election last held 7 March 2003 (next to be held 2007) election results: Svetozar MAROVIC elected president by the Parliament; vote was Svetozar MAROVIC 65, other 47

Seychelles chief of state: President James MICHEL (since 14 April 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President James MICHEL (since 14 April 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 31 August-2 September 2001 (next to be held NA 2006) election results: France Albert RENE re-elected president; percent of vote - France Albert RENE (SPPF) 54.19%, Wavel RAMKALAWAN (UO) 44.95%, Philippe BOULLE 0.86%; note - the first time that presidential elections have been held separately from legislative elections; France Albert RENE stepped down 14 April 2004 and Vice President James MICHEL was sworn in as president

Sierra Leone chief of state: President Ahmad Tejan KABBAH (since 29 March 1996, reinstated 10 March 1998); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Ahmad Tejan KABBAH (since 29 March 1996, reinstated 10 March 1998); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Ministers of State appointed by the president with the approval of the House of Representatives; the cabinet is responsible to the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 14 May 2002 (next to be held NA May 2007); note - president's tenure of office is limited to two five-year terms election results: Ahmad Tejan KABBAH reelected president; percent of vote - Ahmad Tejan KABBAH (SLPP) 70.6%, Ernest KOROMA (APC) 22.4%

Singapore chief of state: President Sellapan Rama (S. R.) NATHAN (since 1 September 1999) head of government: Prime Minister LEE Hsien Loong (since 12 August 2004); Senior Minister GOH Chok Tong (since 12 August 2004); Minister Mentor LEE Kuan Yew (since 12 August 2004); Deputy Prime Ministers Shunmugan JAYAKUMAR (since 12 August 2004) and Tony TAN Keng Yam (since 1 August 1995) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president, responsible to Parliament elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term; election last held 28 August 1999 (next to be held by August 2005); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the president; deputy prime ministers appointed by the president election results: Sellapan Rama (S. R.) NATHAN elected president unopposed

Slovakia chief of state: President Ivan GASPAROVIC (since 15 June 2004) head of government: Prime Minister Mikulas DZURINDA (since 30 October 1998); Deputy Prime Minister Ivan MIKLOS (since 30 October 1998); Deputy Prime Minister Pal CSAKY (since 30 October 1998); Deputy Prime Minister Pavol RUSKO (since May 2004) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: president elected by direct, popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 3 April and 17 April 2004 (next to be held April 2009); following National Council elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the president election results: Ivan GASPAROVIC elected president in runoff; percent of vote - Ivan GASPAROVIC 59.9%, Vladimir MECIAR 40.1%; Mikulas DZURINDA reelected prime minister October 2002 note: government coalition - SDKU, SMK, KDH, ANO

Slovenia chief of state: President Janez DRNOVSEK (since 22 December 2002) head of government: Prime Minister Janez JANSA (since 9 November 2004) cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and elected by the National Assembly elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 10 November and 1 December 2002 (next to be held in the fall of 2007); following National Assembly elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition is usually nominated to become prime minister by the president and elected by the National Assembly; election last held 9 November 2004 (next National Assembly elections to be held October 2008) election results: Janez DRNOVSEK elected president; percent of vote - Janez DRNOVSEK 56.5%, Barbara BREZIGAR 43.5%; Janez JANSA elected prime minister; National Assembly vote - 57 to 27

Solomon Islands chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Nathaniel WAENA (since 7 July 2004) head of government: Prime Minister Sir Allan KEMAKEZA (since 17 December 2001); Deputy Prime Minister Snyder RINI (since 17 December 2001) cabinet: Cabinet consists of 20 members appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister from among the members of Parliament elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the advice of Parliament for up to five years; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition is usually elected prime minister by Parliament; deputy prime minister appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister from among the members of Parliament

Somalia chief of state: Abdullahi YUSUF Ahmed (since 14 October 2004); note - a new Transitional Federal Government consisting of a 275-member parliament was established in October 2004 replacing the Transitional National Government created in 2000 head of government: Prime Minister Ali Muhammad GHEDI (since 3 November 2004) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister election results: Abdullahi YUSUF Ahmed, the leader of the Puntland region of Somalia, was elected president by the Transitional Federal Government

South Africa chief of state: President Thabo MBEKI (since 16 June 1999); Executive Deputy President Jacob ZUMA (since 17 June 1999); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Thabo MBEKI (since 16 June 1999); Executive Deputy President Jacob ZUMA (since 17 June 1999); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president elected by the National Assembly for a five-year term; election last held 2 June 1999 (next to be held 24 April 2004) election results: Thabo MBEKI elected president; percent of National Assembly vote - 100% (by acclamation) note: ANC-IFP is the governing coalition

Spain chief of state: King JUAN CARLOS I (since 22 November 1975); Heir Apparent Prince FELIPE, son of the monarch, born 30 January 1968 head of government: President of the Government Jose Luis RODRIGUEZ ZAPATERO (since 17 April 2004); First Vice President (and Minister of the Presidency) Maria Teresa FERNANDEZ DE LA VEGA(since 18 April 2004) and Second Vice President (and Minister of Economy and Finance) Pedro SOLBES (since 18 April 2004) cabinet: Council of Ministers designated by the president note: there is also a Council of State that is the supreme consultative organ of the government, but its recommendations are non-binding elections: the monarch is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually proposed president by the monarch and elected by the National Assembly; election last held 14 March 2004 (next to be held NA March 2008); vice presidents appointed by the monarch on the proposal of the president election results: Jose Luis RODRIGUEZ ZAPATERO (PSOE) elected president; percent of National Assembly vote - 52.29%

Sri Lanka chief of state: President Chandrika Bandaranaike KUMARATUNGA (since 12 November 1994); note - Mahinda RAJAPAKSE (since 6 April 2004)i s the prime minister; the president is considered both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Chandrika Bandaranaike KUMARATUNGA (since 12 November 1994); note - Mahinda RAJAPAKSE (since 6 April 2004) is the prime minister; the president is considered both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president in consultation with the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term; election last held 21 December 1999 (next to be held NA December 2005) election results: Chandrika Bandaranaike KUMARATUNGA reelected president; percent of vote - Chandrika Bandaranaike KUMARATUNGA 51%, Ranil WICKREMASINGHE 42%, other 7%

Sudan chief of state: President Field Marshall Umar Hassan Ahmad al-BASHIR (since 16 October 1993); First Vice President Ali Uthman Muhammad TAHA (since 17 February 1998), Second Vice President Moses MACHAR (since 12 February 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Field Marshall Umar Hasan Ahmad al-BASHIR (since 16 October 1993); First Vice President Ali Uthman Muhammad TAHA (since 17 February 1998), Second Vice President Moses MACHAR (since 12 February 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president; note - the National Congress Party or NCP (formerly the National Islamic Front or NIF) dominates al-BASHIR's cabinet elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 13-23 December 2000 (next to be held NA) election results: Field Marshall Umar Hasan Ahmad al-BASHIR reelected president; percent of vote - Umar Hasan Ahmad al-BASHIR 86.5%, Ja'afar Muhammed NUMAYRI 9.6%, three other candidates received a combined vote of 3.9%; election widely viewed as rigged; all popular opposition parties boycotted elections because of a lack of guarantees for a free and fair election note: BASHIR assumed supreme executive power in 1989 and retained it through several transitional governments in the early and mid-1990s before being popularly elected for the first time in March 1996

Suriname chief of state: President Runaldo Ronald VENETIAAN (since 12 August 2000); Vice President Jules Rattankoemar AJODHIA (since 12 August 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Runaldo Ronald VENETIAAN (since 12 August 2000); Vice President Jules Rattankoemar AJODHIA (since 12 August 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly elections: president and vice president elected by the National Assembly or, if no presidential or vice presidential candidate receives a constitutional majority in the National Assembly after two votes, by the larger People's Assembly (869 representatives from the national, local, and regional councils), for five-year terms; election last held 6 May 2000 (next to be held NA May 2005) note: widespread demonstrations during the summer of 1999 led to the call for elections a year early election results: Runaldo Ronald VENETIAAN elected president by the National Assembly; percent of legislative vote - Runaldo Ronald VENETIAAN 72.5%; Rashied DOEKHIE (NDP) 19.6%; total votes cast - Runaldo Ronald VENETIAAN (New Front) 37 votes, Rashied DOEKHIE (NDP) 10 votes

Svalbard chief of state: King HARALD V of Norway (since 17 January 1991) head of government: Governor Odd Olsen INGERO (since 8 June 2001) and Assistant Governor Rune Baard HANSEN (since NA) elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor and assistant governor responsible to the Polar Department of the Ministry of Justice

Swaziland chief of state: King MSWATI III (since 25 April 1986) head of government: Prime Minister Absolom Themba DLAMINI (since 14 November 2003) cabinet: Cabinet recommended by the prime minister and confirmed by the monarch elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch

Sweden chief of state: King CARL XVI GUSTAF (since 19 September 1973); Heir Apparent Princess VICTORIA Ingrid Alice Desiree, daughter of the monarch (born 14 July 1977) head of government: Prime Minister Goran PERSSON (since 21 March 1996) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister elections: the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative elections, the prime minister is elected by the Parliament; election last held 15 September 2002 (next to be held NA September 2006) election results: Goran PERSSON reelected prime minister with 131 out of 349 votes

Switzerland chief of state: President Samuel SCHMID (since 1 January 2005); Vice President Moritz LEUENBERGER (since 1 January 2005); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Samuel SCHMID (since 1 January 2005); Vice President Moritz LEUENBERGER (since 1 January 2005); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Federal Council or Bundesrat (in German), Conseil Federal (in French), Consiglio Federale (in Italian) elected by the Federal Assembly usually from among its own members for a four-year term elections: president and vice president elected by the Federal Assembly from among the members of the Federal Council for one-year terms that run concurrently; election last held 8 December 2004 (next to be held December 2005) election results: Samuel SCHMID elected president; percent of Federal Assembly vote - 70.7%; Moritz LEUENBERGER elected vice president; percent of legislative vote - 64.8%

Syria chief of state: President Bashar al-ASAD (since 17 July 2000); Vice Presidents Abd al-Halim ibn Said KHADDAM (since 11 March 1984) and Muhammad Zuhayr MASHARIQA (since 11 March 1984) head of government: Prime Minister Muhammad Naji al-UTRI (since 10 September 2003) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term; referendum/election last held 10 July 2000 - after the death of President Hafiz al-ASAD, father of Bashar al-ASAD - (next to be held 2007); vice presidents appointed by the president; prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president election results: Bashar al-ASAD elected president; percent of vote - Bashar al-ASAD 97.29% note: Hafiz al-ASAD died on 10 June 2000; on 20 June 2000, the Ba'th Party nominated Bashar al-ASAD for president and presented his name to the People's Council on 25 June 2000

Taiwan chief of state: President CHEN Shui-bian (since 20 May 2000) and Vice President Annette LU (LU Hsiu-lien) (since 20 May 2000) head of government: Premier (President of the Executive Yuan) Frank HSIEH (since 1 February 2005) and Vice Premier (Vice President of the Executive Yuan) YEH Chu-lan (since 20 May 2004) cabinet: Executive Yuan appointed by the president elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 20 March 2004 (next to be held in March 2008); premier appointed by the president; vice premiers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the premier election results: CHEN Shui-bian re-elected president; percent of vote - CHEN Shui-bian (DPP) 50.1%, LIEN Chan (KMT) 49.9%

Tajikistan chief of state: President Emomali RAHMONOV (since 6 November 1994; head of state and Supreme Assembly chairman since 19 November 1992) head of government: Prime Minister Oqil OQILOV (since 20 January 1999) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president, approved by the Supreme Assembly elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term; election last held 6 November 1999 (next to be held NA 2006); prime minister appointed by the president; Tajikistan held a constitutional referendum on 22 June 2003 that, among other things, set a term limit of two seven-year terms for the president election results: Emomali RAHMONOV elected president; percent of vote - Emomali RAHMONOV 97%, Davlat USMON 2%

Tanzania chief of state: President Benjamin William MKAPA (since 23 November 1995); Vice President Dr. Ali Mohammed SHEIN (since 5 July 2001); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Benjamin William MKAPA (since 23 November 1995); Vice President Dr. Ali Mohammed SHEIN (since 5 July 2001); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government note: Zanzibar elects a president who is head of government for matters internal to Zanzibar; Amani Abeid KARUME was elected to that office on 29 October 2000 cabinet: Cabinet ministers, including the prime minister, are appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly elections: president and vice president elected on the same ballot by popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 29 October 2000 (next to be held NA October 2005); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Benjamin William MKAPA reelected president; percent of vote - Benjamin William MKAPA 71.7%, Ibrahim Haruna LIPUMBA 16.3%, Augustine Lyatonga MREME 7.8%, John Momose CHEYO 4.2%

Thailand chief of state: King PHUMIPHON Adunyadet (since 9 June 1946) head of government: Prime Minister THAKSIN Chinnawat (since 9 February 2001) and Deputy Prime Ministers CHATURON Chaisaeng, Gen. CHAWALIT Yongchaiyut (Ret.), PURACHAI Piamsombun, VISHANU Krua-ngam (since 8 November 2003); LIPTAPANLOP Suwat (since 1 July 2004); SOMSAK Thepsuthin, PHINIT Charusombat (since 6 October 2004) cabinet: Council of Ministers note: there is also a Privy Council elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister is designated from among the members of the House of Representatives; following national elections for the House of Representatives, the leader of the party that can organize a majority coalition usually is appointed prime minister by the king

Togo chief of state: President Faure GNASSINGBE (since 6 February 2005); note - Gnassingbe EYADEMA died on 5 February 2005 and was succeeded by his son, Faure GNASSINGBE, who will be allowed to complete his father's term head of government: Prime Minister Koffi SAMA (since 29 June 2002) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president and the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 1 June 2003 (next to be held NA June 2008); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Gnassingbe EYADEMA reelected president; percent of vote - Gnassingbe EYADEMA 57.2%, Emmanuel Akitani BOB 34.1%, Yawovi AGBOYIBO 5.2%, Maurice Dahuku PERE 2.3%, Edem KODJO 1.0%

Tokelau chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); the UK and New Zealand are represented by Administrator Neil WALTER (since NA 2002) head of government: Aliki Faipule Kuresa NASAU (since 2004) note - position rotates annually among members of the cabinet cabinet: the Council of Faipule, consisting of three elected leaders - one from each atoll - functions as a cabinet elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade in New Zealand; the head of government is chosen from the Council of Faipule and serves a one-year term

Tonga chief of state: King Taufa'ahau TUPOU IV (since 16 December 1965) head of government: Prime Minister Prince Lavaka ata ULUKALALA (since NA February 2000) and Deputy Prime Minister James C. COCKER (since NA January 2001) cabinet: Cabinet, appointed by the monarch, consists of 12 members note: there is also a Privy Council that consists of the monarch, the Cabinet, and two governors elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed for life by the monarch

Trinidad and Tobago chief of state: President George Maxwell RICHARDS (since 17 March 2003) head of government: Prime Minister Patrick MANNING (since 24 December 2001) cabinet: Cabinet appointed from among the members of Parliament elections: president elected by an electoral college, which consists of the members of the Senate and House of Representatives, for a five-year term; election last held 14 February 2003 (next to be held in 2008); the president usually appoints as prime minister the leader of the majority party in the House of Representatives election results: George Maxwell RICHARDS elected president; percent of electoral college vote - 43%

Tunisia chief of state: President Zine El Abidine BEN ALI (since 7 November 1987) head of government: Prime Minister Mohamed GHANNOUCHI (since 17 November 1999) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 24 October 2004 (next to be held October 2009); prime minister appointed by the president election results: President Zine El Abidine BEN ALI reelected for a fourth term; percent of vote - Zine El Abidine BEN ALI 94.5%, Mohamed BOUCHIHA 3.8%, Mohamed Ali HALOUANI 1%

Turkey chief of state: President Ahmet Necdet SEZER (since 16 May 2000) head of government: Prime Minister Recep Tayyip ERDOGAN (14 March 2003) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the nomination of the prime minister elections: president elected by the National Assembly for a seven-year term; election last held 5 May 2000 (next to be held NA May 2007); prime minister appointed by the president from among members of parliament election results: Ahmed Necdet SEZER elected president on the third ballot; percent of National Assembly vote - 60% note: president must have a two-thirds majority of the National Assembly on the first two ballots and a simple majority on the third ballot

Turkmenistan chief of state: President and Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Saparmurat NIYAZOV (since 27 October 1990, when the first direct presidential election occurred); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President and Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Saparmurat NIYAZOV (since 27 October 1990, when the first direct presidential election occurred); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president note: NIYAZOV's term in office was extended indefinitely on 28 December 1999 during a session of the People's Council (Halk Maslahaty) elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 21 June 1992 (next to be held in 2008 when NIYAZOV turns 70 and is constitutionally ineligible to run); note - President NIYAZOV was unanimously approved as president for life by the People's Council on 28 December 1999; deputy chairmen of the cabinet of ministers are appointed by the president election results: Saparmurat NIYAZOV elected president without opposition; percent of vote - Saparmurat NIYAZOV 99.5%

Turks and Caicos Islands chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1953), represented by Governor Jim POSTON (since 16 December 2002) head of government: Chief Minister Michael Eugene MISICK (since 15 August 2003) cabinet: Executive Council consists of three ex officio members and five appointed by the governor from among the members of the Legislative Council elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party is appointed chief minister by the governor

Tuvalu chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Faimalaga LUKA (since 9 September 2003) head of government: Prime Minister Maatia TOAFA (since 11 October 2004) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the prime minister; prime minister and deputy prime minister elected by and from the members of Parliament; election last held 11 October 2004 (next to be held following parliamentary elections in 2006) election results: Saufatu SOPOANGA resigned parliamentary seat on 27 August 2004 following no-confidence vote on 25 August 2004; succeeded by Deputy Prime Minister Maatia TOAFA in an acting capacity on 27 August 2004; Maatia TOAFA confirmed Prime Minister in a Parliamentary election (8-7 vote) on 11 Ocotober 2004

Uganda chief of state: President Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI (since seizing power 26 January 1986); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI (since seizing power 29 January 1986); Prime Minister Apollo NSIBAMBI (since 5 April 1999); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government; the prime minister assists the president in the supervision of the cabinet cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among elected legislators elections: president reelected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 12 March 2001 (next to be held NA 2006); note - first popular election for president since independence in 1962 was held in 1996; prime minister appointed by the president election results: Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI elected president; percent of vote - Lt. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta MUSEVENI 69.3%, Kizza BESIGYE 27.8%

Ukraine chief of state: President Viktor A. YUSHCHENKO (since 23 January 2005) head of government: Prime Minister Yuliya TYMOSHENKO (since 4 February 2005); First Deputy Prime Minister - Anatoliy KINAKH (since 4 February 2005) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president and approved by the Supreme Council note: there is also a National Security and Defense Council or NSDC originally created in 1992 as the National Security Council, but significantly revamped and strengthened under former-President KUCHMA; the NSDC staff is tasked with developing national security policy on domestic and international matters and advising the president; a Presidential Administration that helps draft presidential edicts and provides policy support to the president; and a Council of Regions that serves as an advisory body elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; note - a special repeat runoff presidential election between Viktor YUSHCHENKO and Viktor YANUKOVYCH took place on 26 December 2004 after the earlier 21 November 2004 contest - won by Mr. YANUKOVYCH - was invalidated by the Ukrainian Supreme Court because of widespread and significant violations; prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president and approved by the Supreme Council election results: Viktor YUSHCHENKO elected president; percent of vote - Viktor YUSHCHENKO 51.99%, Viktor YANUKOVYCH 44.2%

United Arab Emirates chief of state: President Sheikh KHALIFA bin Zayid Al Nuhayyan (since 3 November 2004), ruler of Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi) (since 4 November 2004) and Vice President MAKTUM bin Rashid al-Maktum (since 8 October 1990), ruler of Dubayy (Dubai) head of government: Prime Minister MAKTUM bin Rashid al-Maktum (since 8 October 1990), ruler of Dubayy (Dubai); Deputy Prime Minister SULTAN bin Zayid Al Nuhayyan (since 20 November 1990); Deputy Prime Minister HAMDAN bin Zayid Al Nuhayyan (since 20 October 2003) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president note: there is also a Federal Supreme Council (FSC) composed of the seven emirate rulers; the FSC is the highest constitutional authority in the UAE; establishes general policies and sanctions federal legislation; meets four times a year; Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi) and Dubayy (Dubai) rulers have effective veto power elections: president and vice president elected by the FSC (composed of rulers of the seven emirates) for five-year terms; election last held 3 November 2004 upon the death of the UAE's Founding Father and first President ZAYID bin Sultan Al Nuhayyan (next to be held 2009); prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the president election results: KHALIFA bin Sultan Al Nuhayyan elected president by a unanimous vote of the FSC; MAKTUM bin Rashid al-Maktum unanimously reaffirmed vice president

United Kingdom chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); Heir Apparent Prince CHARLES (son of the queen, born 14 November 1948) head of government: Prime Minister Anthony (Tony) BLAIR (since 2 May 1997) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the prime minister elections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually the prime minister

United States chief of state: President George W. BUSH (since 20 January 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President George W. BUSH (since 20 January 2001) ; note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president with Senate approval elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by a college of representatives who are elected directly from each state; president and vice president serve four-year terms; election last held 2 November 2004 (next to be held November 2008) election results: George W. BUSH reelected president; percent of popular vote - George W. BUSH (Republican Party) 50.9%, John KERRY (Democratic Party) 48.1%, other 1.0%

Uruguay chief of state: President Jorge BATLLE Ibanez (since 1 March 2000) and Vice President Luis HIERRO (since 1 March 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Jorge BATLLE Ibanez (since 1 March 2000) and Vice President Luis HIERRO (since 1 March 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president with parliamentary approval elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 31 October 2004 (next to be held October 2009) election results: Tabare VAZQUEZ elected president; percent of vote - Tabare VAZQUEZ 50.7%, Jorge LARRANAGA 34.1%, Guillermo STIRLING 10.3%; note - VAZQUEZ will take office on 1 March 2005

Uzbekistan chief of state: President Islom KARIMOV (since 24 March 1990, when he was elected president by the then Supreme Soviet) head of government: Prime Minister Shavkat MIRZIYAYEV (since 11 December 2003) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president with approval of the Supreme Assembly elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (previously was a five-year term, extended by constitutional amendment in 2002); election last held 9 January 2000 (next to be held NA December 2007); prime minister and deputy ministers appointed by the president election results: Islom KARIMOV reelected president; percent of vote - Islom KARIMOV 91.9%, Abdulkhafiz JALALOV 4.2%

Vanuatu chief of state: President Kalkot Matas KELEKELE (since 16 August 2004) head of government: Prime Minister Ham LINI (since 11 December 2004); Deputy Prime Minister Sato KILMAN (since 11 December 2004); Prime Minister Serge VOHOR ousted in no-confidence vote on 11 December 2004 cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister, responsible to Parliament elections: president elected for a five-year term by an electoral college consisting of Parliament and the presidents of the regional councils; election for president last held 16 August 2004 (next to be held in 2009); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition is usually elected prime minister by Parliament from among its members; election for prime minister last held 29 July 2004 (next to be held following general elections in 2008) election results: Kalkot Matas KELEKELE elected president, with 49 votes out of 56, after several ballots on 16 August 2004

Venezuela chief of state: President Hugo CHAVEZ Frias (since 3 February 1999); Vice President Jose Vicente RANGEL (since 28 April 2002); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Hugo CHAVEZ Frias (since 3 February 1999); Vice President Jose Vicente RANGEL (since 28 April 2002); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term; election last held 30 July 2000 (next to be held NA 2006) election results: Hugo CHAVEZ Frias reelected president; percent of vote - 60% note: a special presidential recall vote on 15 August 2004 resulted in a victory for CHAVEZ; percent of vote - 58% in favor of CHAVEZ fulfilling the remaining two years of his term, 42% in favor of terminating his presidency immediately

Vietnam chief of state: President Tran Duc Luong (since 24 September 1997) head of government: Prime Minister Phan Van Khai (since 25 September 1997); First Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung (since 29 September 1997); Deputy Prime Ministers Vu Khoan (8 August 2002) and Pham Gia Khiem (since 29 September 1997) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the proposal of the prime minister and ratification of the National Assembly elections: president elected by the National Assembly from among its members for a five-year term; election last held 25 July 2002 (next to be held when National Assembly meets following legislative elections in 2007); prime minister appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly; deputy prime ministers appointed by the prime minister election results: Tran Duc Luong elected president; percent of National Assembly vote - NA

Virgin Islands chief of state: President George W. BUSH of the US (since 20 January 2001) head of government: Governor Dr. Charles Wesley TURNBULL (since 5 January 1999) cabinet: NA elections: US president and vice president elected on the same ticket for four-year terms; governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 5 November 2002 (next to be held NA November 2006) election results: Dr. Charles Wesley TURNBULL reelected governor; percent of vote - Dr. Charles Wesley TURNBULL (Democrat) 50.5%, John de JONGH 24.4%

Wallis and Futuna chief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC of France (since 17 May 1995), represented by High Administrator Xavier DE FURST (since 18 January 2005) head of government: President of the Territorial Assembly Patalione KANIMOA (since NA January 2001) cabinet: Council of the Territory consists of three kings and three members appointed by the high administrator on the advice of the Territorial Assembly note: there are three traditional kings with limited powers elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; high administrator appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of the Interior; the presidents of the Territorial Government and the Territorial Assembly are elected by the members of the assembly

Western Sahara none

Yemen chief of state: President Ali Abdallah SALIH (since 22 May 1990, the former president of North Yemen, assumed office upon the merger of North and South Yemen); Vice President Maj. Gen. Abd al-Rab Mansur al-HADI (since 3 October 1994) head of government: Prime Minister Abd al-Qadir BA JAMAL (since 4 April 2001) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister elections: president elected by direct, popular vote for a seven-year term (recently extended from a five-year term by constitutional amendment); election last held 23 September 1999 (next to be held NA 2006); vice president appointed by the president; prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president election results: Ali Abdallah SALIH elected president; percent of vote - Ali Abdallah SALIH 96.3%, Najib Qahtan AL-SHAABI 3.7%

Zambia chief of state: President Levy MWANAWASA (since 2 January 2002); Vice President Lupando MWAPE (since 4 October 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Levy MWANAWASA (since 2 January 2002); Vice President Lupando MWAPE (since 4 October 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 27 December 2001 (next to be held NA December 2006); vice president appointed by the president election results: Levy MWANAWASA elected president; percent of vote - Levy MWANAWASA 29%, Anderson MAZOKA 27%, Christon TEMBO 13%, Tilyenji KAUNDA 10%, Godfrey MIYANDA 8%, Benjamin MWILA 5%, Michael SATA 3%, other 5%

Zimbabwe chief of state: Executive President Robert Gabriel MUGABE (since 31 December 1987); Vice President Joyce MUJURU (since 6 December 2004; note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: Executive President Robert Gabriel MUGABE (since 31 December 1987); Vice President Joyce MUJURU (since 6 December 2004; note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president; responsible to the House of Assembly elections: presidential candidates nominated with a nomination paper signed by at least 10 registered voters (at least one from each province) and elected by popular vote; election last held 9-11 March 2002 (next to be held NA March 2008); co-vice presidents appointed by the president election results: Robert Gabriel MUGABE reelected president; percent of vote - Robert Gabriel MUGABE 56.2%, Morgan TSVANGIRAI 41.9%

This page was last updated on 10 February, 2005



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@2078 Exports

Afghanistan $98 million (not including illicit exports) (2002 est.)

Albania $425 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Algeria $24.96 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

American Samoa $30 million (2002)

Andorra $58 million f.o.b. (1998)

Angola $9.669 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Anguilla $2.6 million (1999)

Antigua and Barbuda $689 million (2002)

Argentina $29.57 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Armenia $735 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Aruba $128 million f.o.b. (including oil reexports) (2002 est.)

Australia $68.67 billion (2003 est.)

Austria $83.45 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Azerbaijan $2.605 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Bahamas, The $617 million (2002 est.)

Bahrain $6.492 billion (2003 est.)

Bangladesh $6.713 billion (2003 est.)

Barbados $206 million (2002)

Belarus $9.413 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Belgium $182.9 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Belize $207.8 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Benin $485 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Bermuda $879 million (2002)

Bhutan $154 million f.o.b. (2000 est.)

Bolivia $1.495 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Bosnia and Herzegovina $1.28 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Botswana $2.544 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Brazil $73.28 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

British Virgin Islands $25.3 million (2002)

Brunei $3.439 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Bulgaria $7.337 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Burkina Faso $293 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Burma $2.434 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Burundi $40 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Cambodia $1.616 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Cameroon $1.873 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Canada $279.3 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Cape Verde $50.68 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Cayman Islands $1.2 million (1999)

Central African Republic $172 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Chad $365 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Chile $20.44 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

China $436.1 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Christmas Island NA

Cocos (Keeling) Islands NA

Colombia $12.96 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Comoros $28 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the $1.417 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Congo, Republic of the $2.293 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Cook Islands $9.1 million (2000)

Costa Rica $6.176 billion (2003 est.)

Cote d'Ivoire $5.299 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Croatia $6.355 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Cuba $1.467 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Cyprus Republic of Cyprus: $1.054 billion f.o.b. north Cyprus: $46 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Czech Republic $46.77 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Denmark $64.16 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Djibouti $155 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Dominica $39 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Dominican Republic $5.524 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

East Timor $8 million (2001 est.)

Ecuador $6.073 billion (2003 est.)

Egypt $8.759 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

El Salvador $3.162 billion (2003 est.)

Equatorial Guinea $2.1 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Eritrea $56 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Estonia $4.075 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Ethiopia $537 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)

European Union $850.3 billion (2002)

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) $82 million (2002)

Faroe Islands $408 million f.o.b. (2002)

Fiji $609 million f.o.b. (2002)

Finland $54.28 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

France $346.5 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

French Guiana $155 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

French Polynesia $244 million f.o.b. (2002)

Gabon $2.891 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Gambia, The $156 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Gaza Strip $603 million f.o.b., includes West Bank

Georgia $615 million (2003 est.)

Germany $696.9 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Ghana $2.642 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Gibraltar $136 million f.o.b. (2002)

Greece $5.899 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Greenland $388 million f.o.b. (2002)

Grenada $46 million (2002 est.)

Guadeloupe $140 million f.o.b. (1997)

Guam $38 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Guatemala $2.763 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Guernsey NA

Guinea $726 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Guinea-Bissau $54 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Guyana $512 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Haiti $321 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Honduras $1.37 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Hong Kong $225.9 billion f.o.b., including reexports (2003 est.)

Hungary $42.03 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Iceland $2.379 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

India $57.24 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Indonesia $63.89 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Iran $29.88 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Iraq $7.542 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Ireland $98.31 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Israel $29.32 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Italy $278.1 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Jamaica $1.355 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Japan $447.1 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Jersey NA

Jordan $2.908 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Kazakhstan $12.72 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Kenya $2.514 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Kiribati $35 million f.o.b. (2002)

Korea, North $1.044 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Korea, South $201.3 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Kuwait $22.29 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Kyrgyzstan $548 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Laos $332 million (2003 est.)

Latvia $3 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Lebanon $1.359 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Lesotho $450 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Liberia $1.079 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Libya $14.32 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Liechtenstein $2.47 billion (1996)

Lithuania $7.89 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Luxembourg $8.571 billion f.o.b. (2002)

Macau $2.356 billion f.o.b. (2002)

Macedonia $1.346 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Madagascar $700 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Malawi $455 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Malaysia $98.4 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Maldives $90 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Mali $915 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Malta $2.175 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Man, Isle of NA

Marshall Islands $9 million f.o.b. (2000)

Martinique $250 million f.o.b. (1997)

Mauritania $541 million f.o.b. (2002)

Mauritius $1.965 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Mayotte $3.44 million f.o.b. (1997)

Mexico $164.8 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Micronesia, Federated States of $22 million (f.o.b.) (FY99/00 est.)

Moldova $790 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Monaco $NA; full customs integration with France, which collects and rebates Monegasque trade duties; also participates in EU market system through customs union with France

Mongolia $524 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Montserrat $700,000 (2001)

Morocco $8.466 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Mozambique $795 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Namibia $1.09 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Nauru $18 million f.o.b. (2002)

Nepal $568 million f.o.b., but does not include unrecorded border trade with India (2002 est.)

Netherlands $253.2 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Netherlands Antilles $1.579 billion f.o.b. (2002)

New Caledonia $448 million f.o.b. (2002)

New Zealand $15.86 billion (2003 est.)

Nicaragua $632 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Niger $280 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Nigeria $21.8 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Niue $137,200 (1999)

Norfolk Island $1.5 million f.o.b. (FY91/92)

Northern Mariana Islands NA

Norway $67.27 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Oman $11.7 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Pakistan $11.7 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Palau $18 million f.o.b. (2001 est.)

Panama $5.237 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Papua New Guinea $1.938 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Paraguay $2.727 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Peru $8.954 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Philippines $34.56 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Pitcairn Islands NA

Poland $57.6 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Portugal $31.13 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Puerto Rico $46.9 billion f.o.b. (2001)

Qatar $12.36 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Reunion $214 million f.o.b. (1997)

Romania $17.63 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Russia $134.4 billion (2003 est.)

Rwanda $73.33 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Saint Helena $17 million f.o.b. (2002)

Saint Kitts and Nevis $70 million (2002 est.)

Saint Lucia $66 million (2002 est.)

Saint Pierre and Miquelon $10 million f.o.b. (2002)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines $38 million (2002 est.)

Samoa $14 million f.o.b. (2002)

San Marino trade data are included with the statistics for Italy

Sao Tome and Principe $6.479 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Saudi Arabia $86.53 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Senegal $1.23 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Serbia and Montenegro $2.667 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Seychelles $250 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Sierra Leone $49 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Singapore $142.4 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Slovakia $21.25 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Slovenia $11.98 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Solomon Islands $90 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Somalia $79 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

South Africa $36.77 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Spain $159.4 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Sri Lanka $5.269 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Sudan $2.45 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Suriname $495 million f.o.b. (2002)

Svalbard NA

Swaziland $905.6 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Sweden $102.8 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Switzerland $110 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Syria $5.143 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Taiwan $143 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Tajikistan $750 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Tanzania $978 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Thailand $75.99 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Togo $398.1 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Tokelau $98,000 f.o.b. (1983)

Tonga $27 million f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Trinidad and Tobago $4.9 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Tunisia $8.035 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Turkey $49.12 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Turkmenistan $3.355 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Turks and Caicos Islands $169.2 million (2000)

Tuvalu $1 million f.o.b. (2002)

Uganda $495 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Ukraine $23.63 billion (2003 est.)

United Arab Emirates $56.73 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

United Kingdom $304.5 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

United States $714.5 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Uruguay $2.164 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Uzbekistan $2.83 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Vanuatu $79 million f.o.b. (2002)

Venezuela $25.86 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Vietnam $19.88 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Virgin Islands NA

Wallis and Futuna $250,000 f.o.b. (1999)

West Bank $603 million f.o.b., includes Gaza Strip

Western Sahara NA

World $6.421 trillion f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Yemen $3.92 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Zambia $1.039 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Zimbabwe $1.261 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

This page was last updated on 10 February, 2005



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@2079 Debt - external

Afghanistan $8 billion in bilateral debt, mostly to Russia; Afghanistan has $500 million in debt to Multilateral Development Banks (2004)

Albania $1.41 billion (2003)

Algeria $22.71 billion (2003 est.)

American Samoa NA (2002 est.)

Andorra NA

Angola $9.164 billion (2003 est.)

Anguilla $8.8 million (1998)

Antigua and Barbuda $231 million (1999)

Argentina $145.6 billion (2003 est.)

Armenia $905 million (June 2001)

Aruba $285 million (1996)

Australia $233.5 billion (2003 est.)

Austria $15.5 billion (2003 est.)

Azerbaijan $1.575 billion (2003)

Bahamas, The $308.5 million (2002)

Bahrain $4.682 billion (2003)

Bangladesh $18.06 billion (2003)

Barbados $668 million (2003)

Belarus $851 million (2001 est.)

Belgium $28.3 billion (1999 est.)

Belize $475 million (2001 est.)

Benin $1.6 billion (2000)

Bermuda $160 million (FY99/00)

Bhutan $245 million (2000)

Bolivia $5.332 billion (2003 est.)

Bosnia and Herzegovina $3.5 billion (2003)

Botswana $392 million (2003)

Brazil $214.9 billion (2003)

British Virgin Islands $36.1 million (1997)

Brunei $0

Bulgaria $12.05 billion (2003)

Burkina Faso $1.3 billion (2000)

Burma $6.011 billion (2003 est.)

Burundi $1.133 billion (2002)

Cambodia $2.4 billion (2002 est.)

Cameroon $7.236 billion (2003 est.)

Canada $1.9 billion (2000)

Cape Verde $325 million (2002)

Cayman Islands $70 million (1996)

Central African Republic $881.4 million (2000 est.)

Chad $1.1 billion (2000 est.)

Chile $43.15 billion (2003)

China $197.8 billion (2003 est.)

Christmas Island NA

Cocos (Keeling) Islands NA

Colombia $38.26 billion (2003 est.)

Comoros $232 million (2000 est.)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the $11.6 billion (2000 est.)

Congo, Republic of the $5 billion (2000 est.)

Cook Islands $141 million (1996 est.)

Costa Rica $5.366 billion (2003 est.)

Cote d'Ivoire $11.85 billion (2003 est.)

Croatia $23.56 billion (2003 est.)

Cuba $12.52 billion (convertible currency); another $15 billion -$20 billion owed to Russia (2003 est.)

Cyprus Republic of Cyprus: $8.85 billion; north Cyprus: NA (2003)

Czech Republic $28 billion (2003)

Denmark $21.7 billion (2000)

Djibouti $366 million (2002 est.)

Dominica $161.5 million (2001)

Dominican Republic $6.567 billion (2003 est.)

East Timor NA

Ecuador $15.69 billion (2003)

Egypt $30.34 billion (2003 est.)

El Salvador $6.575 billion (2003 est.)

Equatorial Guinea $248 million (2000 est.)

Eritrea $311 million (2000 est.)

Estonia $7.002 billion (2003 est.)

Ethiopia $2.9 billion (2001 est.)

European Union $NA

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) NA (1999 est.)

Faroe Islands $64 million (1999)

Fiji $188.1 million (2001 est.)

Finland $30 billion (December 1993)

France NA

French Guiana $1.2 billion (1988)

French Polynesia NA (2000 est.)

Gabon $3.284 billion (2003 est.)

Gambia, The $476 million (2001 est.)

Gaza Strip $108 million (includes West Bank) (1997 est.)

Georgia $1.8 billion (2002)

Germany NA (2000 est.)

Ghana $7.398 billion (2003 est.)

Gibraltar NA (2000 est.)

Greece $65.51 billion (2003 est.)

Greenland $25 million (1999)

Grenada $196 million (2000)

Guadeloupe NA (yearend 2003 est.)

Guam NA (2003 est.)

Guatemala $4.957 billion (2003 est.)

Guernsey NA

Guinea $3.25 billion (2001 est.)

Guinea-Bissau $941.5 million (2000 est.)

Guyana $1.2 billion (2002)

Haiti $1.2 billion (1999)

Honduras $5.246 billion (2003)

Hong Kong $59.21 billion (2003 est.)

Hungary $42.38 billion (2003 est.)

Iceland $2.6 billion (1999)

India $101.7 billion (2003 est.)

Indonesia $135.7 billion (2003 est.)

Iran $10.96 billion (2003 est.)

Iraq $93.95 billion (2003 est.)

Ireland $11 billion (1998)

Israel $70.97 billion (2003 est.)

Italy $868.5 billion NA (2003)

Jamaica $4.962 billion (2003 est.)

Japan NA (2002 est.)

Jersey none

Jordan $7.683 billion (2003 est.)

Kazakhstan $24.45 billion (2003 est.)

Kenya $5.916 billion (2003 est.)

Kiribati $10 million (1999 est.)

Korea, North $12 billion (1996 est.)

Korea, South $130.3 billion (2003 est.)

Kuwait $12.18 billion (2003 est.)

Kyrgyzstan $1.5 billion (2002 est.)

Laos $2.49 billion (2001)

Latvia $6.793 billion (2003 est.)

Lebanon $20.79 billion (2003 est.)

Lesotho $735 million (2002)

Liberia $2.1 billion (2000 est.)

Libya $4.194 billion (2003 est.)

Liechtenstein $0 (2001)

Lithuania $7.671 billion (2003 est.)

Luxembourg NA

Macau $121 million (2001 est.)

Macedonia $1.929 billion (2003 est.)

Madagascar $4.6 billion (2002)

Malawi $3.026 billion (2003)

Malaysia $48.84 billion (2003 est.)

Maldives $281 million (2003 est.)

Mali $3.3 billion (2000)

Malta $130 million (1997)

Man, Isle of NA

Marshall Islands $86.5 million (FY99/00 est.)

Martinique $180 million (1994)

Mauritania $2.5 billion (2000)

Mauritius $1.75 billion (2003 est.)

Mayotte NA

Mexico $159.8 billion (2003 est.)

Micronesia, Federated States of $53.1 million (FY02/03 est.)

Moldova $1.515 billion (2003)

Monaco NA (2000 est.)

Mongolia $885 million (2001 est.)

Montserrat $8.9 million (1997)

Morocco $17.32 billion (2003 est.)

Mozambique $966 million (2002 est.)

Namibia $1.04 billion (2003 est.)

Nauru $33.3 million (2002)

Nepal $2.7 billion (2001)

Netherlands Antilles $1.35 billion (1996)

New Caledonia $79 million (1998 est.)

New Zealand $37.46 billion (2003 est.)

Nicaragua $5.833 billion (2003 est.)

Niger $1.6 billion (1999 est.)

Nigeria $31.07 billion (2003 est.)

Niue $418,000 (2002 est.)

Norfolk Island NA

Northern Mariana Islands NA

Norway $0 (Norway is a net external creditor) (2003 est.)

Oman $5.973 billion (2003 est.)

Pakistan $33.54 billion (2003 est.)

Palau $0 (FY99/00)

Panama $8.834 billion (2003 est.)

Papua New Guinea $2.909 billion (2003 est.)

Paraguay $2.96 billion (2003 est.)

Peru $29.95 billion (2003 est.)

Philippines $57.96 billion (2003)

Pitcairn Islands NA

Poland $86.82 billion (2003)

Portugal $250.7 billion (2003 est.)

Puerto Rico NA

Qatar $17.5 billion (2003 est.)

Reunion NA

Romania $18.34 billion (2003 est.)

Russia $175.9 billion (2003)

Rwanda $1.3 billion (2000 est.)

Saint Helena NA (1996)

Saint Kitts and Nevis $171 million (2001)

Saint Lucia $214 million (2000)

Saint Pierre and Miquelon NA (2003 est.)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines $167.2 million (2000)

Samoa $197 million (2000)

San Marino NA

Sao Tome and Principe $318 million (2002)

Saudi Arabia $39.16 billion (2003)

Senegal $3.009 billion (2003 est.)

Serbia and Montenegro $14.01 billion (2003 est.)

Seychelles $213 million (2003 est.)

Sierra Leone $1.5 billion (2002 est.)

Singapore $15.06 billion (2003 est.)

Slovakia $18.31 billion (2003 est.)

Slovenia $11.33 billion (2003)

Solomon Islands $162.5 million (2001 est.)

Somalia $2.6 billion (2000 est.)

South Africa $25.9 billion (2003 est.)

Spain $718.4 billion (2003 est.)

Sri Lanka $10.52 billion (2003)

Sudan $16.09 billion (2003 est.)

Suriname $321 million (2002 est.)

Swaziland $320 million (2002 est.)

Sweden $66.5 billion (1994)

Switzerland NA (2000)

Syria $21.55 billion (2003 est.)

Taiwan $53.44 billion (2003)

Tajikistan $1 billion (2002 est.)

Tanzania $6.549 billion (2003 est.)

Thailand $53.75 billion (2003 est.)

Togo $1.4 billion (2000)

Tokelau $0

Tonga $63.4 million (2001)

Trinidad and Tobago $2.608 billion (2003 est.)

Tunisia $14.39 billion (2003 est.)

Turkey $147.3 billion (2003)

Turkmenistan $2.4 billion to $5 billion (2001 est.)

Turks and Caicos Islands NA (2002 est.)

Tuvalu NA

Uganda $3.818 billion (2003 est.)

Ukraine $16.13 billion (2003)

United Arab Emirates $20.71 billion (2003 est.)

United Kingdom NA (2002 est.)

United States $1.4 trillion (2001 est.)

Uruguay $10.73 billion (2003)

Uzbekistan $4.384 billion (2003 est.)

Vanuatu $65.8 million (2001 est.)

Venezuela $32.51 billion (2003)

Vietnam $14.69 billion (2003)

Virgin Islands NA

Wallis and Futuna NA

West Bank $108 million (includes Gaza Strip) (1997 est.)

Western Sahara NA

World $2 trillion for less developed countries (2002 est.)

Yemen $6.044 billion (2003)

Zambia $5.281 billion (2003)

Zimbabwe $3.404 billion (2003 est.)

This page was last updated on 10 February, 2005



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@2080 Fiscal year

Afghanistan 21 March - 20 March

Albania calendar year

Algeria calendar year

American Samoa 1 October - 30 September

Andorra calendar year

Angola calendar year

Anguilla 1 April - 31 March

Antigua and Barbuda 1 April - 31 March

Argentina calendar year

Armenia calendar year

Aruba calendar year

Australia 1 July - 30 June

Austria calendar year

Azerbaijan calendar year

Bahamas, The 1 July - 30 June

Bahrain calendar year

Bangladesh 1 July - 30 June

Barbados 1 April - 31 March

Belarus calendar year

Belgium calendar year

Belize 1 April - 31 March

Benin calendar year

Bermuda 1 April - 31 March

Bhutan 1 July - 30 June

Bolivia calendar year

Bosnia and Herzegovina calendar year

Botswana 1 April - 31 March

Brazil calendar year

British Virgin Islands 1 April - 31 March

Brunei calendar year

Bulgaria calendar year

Burkina Faso calendar year

Burma 1 April - 31 March

Burundi calendar year

Cambodia calendar year

Cameroon 1 July - 30 June

Canada 1 April - 31 March

Cape Verde calendar year

Cayman Islands 1 April - 31 March

Central African Republic calendar year

Chad calendar year

Chile calendar year

China calendar year

Christmas Island 1 July - 30 June

Cocos (Keeling) Islands 1 July - 30 June

Colombia calendar year

Comoros calendar year

Congo, Democratic Republic of the calendar year

Congo, Republic of the calendar year

Cook Islands 1 April - 31 March

Costa Rica calendar year

Cote d'Ivoire calendar year

Croatia calendar year

Cuba calendar year

Cyprus calendar year

Czech Republic calendar year

Denmark calendar year

Djibouti calendar year

Dominica 1 July - 30 June

Dominican Republic calendar year

East Timor 1 July - 30 June

Ecuador calendar year

Egypt 1 July - 30 June

El Salvador calendar year

Equatorial Guinea 1 January - 31 December

Eritrea calendar year

Estonia calendar year

Ethiopia 8 July - 7 July

European Union NA

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 1 April - 31 March

Faroe Islands calendar year

Fiji calendar year

Finland calendar year

France calendar year

French Guiana calendar year

French Polynesia calendar year

Gabon calendar year

Gambia, The calendar year

Gaza Strip calendar year

Georgia calendar year

Germany calendar year

Ghana calendar year

Gibraltar 1 July - 30 June

Greece calendar year

Greenland calendar year

Grenada calendar year

Guadeloupe calendar year

Guam 1 October - 30 September

Guatemala calendar year

Guernsey calendar year

Guinea calendar year

Guinea-Bissau calendar year

Guyana calendar year

Haiti 1 October - 30 September

Holy See (Vatican City) calendar year

Honduras calendar year

Hong Kong 1 April - 31 March

Hungary calendar year

Iceland calendar year

India 1 April - 31 March

Indonesia calendar year; note - previously was 1 April - 31 March, but starting with 2001, has been changed to calendar year

Iran 21 March - 20 March

Iraq calendar year

Ireland calendar year

Israel calendar year

Italy calendar year

Jamaica 1 April - 31 March

Japan 1 April - 31 March

Jersey 1 April - 31 March

Jordan calendar year

Kazakhstan calendar year

Kenya 1 July - 30 June

Kiribati NA

Korea, North calendar year

Korea, South calendar year

Kuwait 1 April - 31 March

Kyrgyzstan calendar year

Laos 1 October - 30 September

Latvia calendar year

Lebanon calendar year

Lesotho 1 April - 31 March

Liberia calendar year

Libya calendar year

Liechtenstein calendar year

Lithuania calendar year

Luxembourg calendar year

Macau calendar year

Macedonia calendar year

Madagascar calendar year

Malawi 1 July - 30 June

Malaysia calendar year

Maldives calendar year

Mali calendar year

Malta 1 April - 31 March

Man, Isle of 1 April - 31 March

Marshall Islands 1 October - 30 September

Martinique calendar year

Mauritania calendar year

Mauritius 1 July - 30 June

Mayotte calendar year

Mexico calendar year

Micronesia, Federated States of 1 October - 30 September

Moldova calendar year

Monaco calendar year

Mongolia calendar year

Montserrat 1 April - 31 March

Morocco calendar year

Mozambique calendar year

Namibia 1 April - 31 March

Nauru 1 July - 30 June

Nepal 16 July - 15 July

Netherlands calendar year

Netherlands Antilles calendar year

New Caledonia calendar year

New Zealand 1 July - 30 June

Nicaragua calendar year

Niger calendar year

Nigeria calendar year

Niue 1 April - 31 March

Norfolk Island 1 July - 30 June

Northern Mariana Islands 1 October - 30 September

Norway calendar year

Oman calendar year

Pakistan 1 July - 30 June

Palau 1 October - 30 September

Panama calendar year

Papua New Guinea calendar year

Paraguay calendar year

Peru calendar year

Philippines calendar year

Pitcairn Islands 1 April - 31 March

Poland calendar year

Portugal calendar year

Puerto Rico 1 July - 30 June

Qatar 1 April - 31 March

Reunion calendar year

Romania calendar year

Russia calendar year

Rwanda calendar year

Saint Helena 1 April - 31 March

Saint Kitts and Nevis calendar year

Saint Lucia 1 April - 31 March

Saint Pierre and Miquelon calendar year

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines calendar year

Samoa June 1 - May 31

San Marino calendar year

Sao Tome and Principe calendar year

Saudi Arabia calendar year

Senegal calendar year

Serbia and Montenegro calendar year

Seychelles calendar year

Sierra Leone calendar year

Singapore 1 April - 31 March

Slovakia calendar year

Slovenia calendar year

Solomon Islands calendar year

Somalia NA

South Africa 1 April - 31 March

Spain calendar year

Sri Lanka calendar year

Sudan calendar year

Suriname calendar year

Swaziland 1 April - 31 March

Sweden calendar year

Switzerland calendar year

Syria calendar year

Taiwan 1 July - 30 June (up to FY98/99); 1 July 1999 - 31 December 2000 for FY00; calendar year (after FY00)

Tajikistan calendar year

Tanzania 1 July - 30 June

Thailand 1 October - 30 September

Togo calendar year

Tokelau 1 April - 31 March

Tonga 1 July - 30 June

Trinidad and Tobago 1 October - 30 September

Tunisia calendar year

Turkey calendar year

Turkmenistan calendar year

Turks and Caicos Islands calendar year

Tuvalu calendar year

Uganda 1 July - 30 June

Ukraine calendar year

United Arab Emirates calendar year

United Kingdom 6 April - 5 April

United States 1 October - 30 September

Uruguay calendar year

Uzbekistan calendar year

Vanuatu calendar year

Venezuela calendar year

Vietnam calendar year

Virgin Islands 1 October - 30 September

Wallis and Futuna calendar year

West Bank calendar year (since 1 January 1992)

Western Sahara calendar year

Yemen calendar year

Zambia calendar year

Zimbabwe 1 January - 31 December

This page was last updated on 10 February, 2005



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@2081 Flag description

Afghanistan three equal vertical bands of black (hoist), red, and green, with a gold emblem centered on the red band; the emblem features a temple-like structure encircled by a wreath on the left and right and by a bold Islamic inscription above

Akrotiri the flag of the UK is used

Albania red with a black two-headed eagle in the center

Algeria two equal vertical bands of green (hoist side) and white; a red, five-pointed star within a red crescent centered over the two-color boundary; the crescent, star, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam (the state religion)

American Samoa blue, with a white triangle edged in red that is based on the outer side and extends to the hoist side; a brown and white American bald eagle flying toward the hoist side is carrying two traditional Samoan symbols of authority, a staff and a war club

Andorra three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red with the national coat of arms centered in the yellow band; the coat of arms features a quartered shield; similar to the flags of Chad and Romania, which do not have a national coat of arms in the center, and the flag of Moldova, which does bear a national emblem

Angola two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and black with a centered yellow emblem consisting of a five-pointed star within half a cogwheel crossed by a machete (in the style of a hammer and sickle)

Anguilla blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Anguillan coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms depicts three orange dolphins in an interlocking circular design on a white background with blue wavy water below

Antigua and Barbuda red, with an inverted isosceles triangle based on the top edge of the flag; the triangle contains three horizontal bands of black (top), light blue, and white, with a yellow rising sun in the black band

Argentina three equal horizontal bands of light blue (top), white, and light blue; centered in the white band is a radiant yellow sun with a human face known as the Sun of May

Armenia three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue, and orange

Aruba blue, with two narrow, horizontal, yellow stripes across the lower portion and a red, four-pointed star outlined in white in the upper hoist-side corner

Ashmore and Cartier Islands the flag of Australia is used

Australia blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and a large seven-pointed star in the lower hoist-side quadrant known as the Commonwealth Star, representing the federation of the colonies of Australia in 1901; the star depicts one point for each of the six original states and one representing all of Australia's internal and external territories; the remaining half is a representation of the Southern Cross constellation in white with one small five-pointed star and four larger, seven-pointed stars

Austria three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and red

Azerbaijan three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), red, and green; a crescent and eight-pointed star in white are centered in red band

Bahamas, The three equal horizontal bands of aquamarine (top), gold, and aquamarine, with a black equilateral triangle based on the hoist side

Bahrain red, the traditional color for flags of Persian Gulf states, with a white serrated band (five white points) on the hoist side; the five points represent the five pillars of Islam

Baker Island the flag of the US is used

Bangladesh green with a large red disk slightly to the hoist side of center; the red sun of freedom represents the blood shed to achieve independence; the green field symbolizes the lush countryside, and secondarily, the traditional color of Islam

Barbados three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), gold, and blue with the head of a black trident centered on the gold band; the trident head represents independence and a break with the past (the colonial coat of arms contained a complete trident)

Bassas da India the flag of France is used

Belarus red horizontal band (top) and green horizontal band one-half the width of the red band; a white vertical stripe on the hoist side bears Belarusian national ornamention in red

Belgium three equal vertical bands of black (hoist side), yellow, and red; the design was based on the flag of France

Belize blue with a narrow red stripe along the top and the bottom edges; centered is a large white disk bearing the coat of arms; the coat of arms features a shield flanked by two workers in front of a mahogany tree with the related motto SUB UMBRA FLOREO (I Flourish in the Shade) on a scroll at the bottom, all encircled by a green garland

Benin two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and red with a vertical green band on the hoist side

Bermuda red, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Bermudian coat of arms (white and green shield with a red lion holding a scrolled shield showing the sinking of the ship Sea Venture off Bermuda in 1609) centered on the outer half of the flag

Bhutan divided diagonally from the lower hoist side corner; the upper triangle is yellow and the lower triangle is orange; centered along the dividing line is a large black and white dragon facing away from the hoist side

Bolivia three equal horizontal bands of red (top), yellow, and green with the coat of arms centered on the yellow band; similar to the flag of Ghana, which has a large black five-pointed star centered in the yellow band

Bosnia and Herzegovina a wide medium blue vertical band on the fly side with a yellow isosceles triangle abutting the band and the top of the flag; the remainder of the flag is medium blue with seven full five-pointed white stars and two half stars top and bottom along the hypotenuse of the triangle

Botswana light blue with a horizontal white-edged black stripe in the center

Bouvet Island the flag of Norway is used

Brazil green with a large yellow diamond in the center bearing a blue celestial globe with 27 white five-pointed stars (one for each state and the Federal District) arranged in the same pattern as the night sky over Brazil; the globe has a white equatorial band with the motto ORDEM E PROGRESSO (Order and Progress)

British Indian Ocean Territory white with six blue wavy horizontal stripes; the flag of the UK is in the upper hoist-side quadrant; the striped section bears a palm tree and yellow crown centered on the outer half of the flag

British Virgin Islands blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Virgin Islander coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms depicts a woman flanked on either side by a vertical column of six oil lamps above a scroll bearing the Latin word VIGILATE (Be Watchful)

Brunei yellow with two diagonal bands of white (top, almost double width) and black starting from the upper hoist side; the national emblem in red is superimposed at the center; the emblem includes a swallow-tailed flag on top of a winged column within an upturned crescent above a scroll and flanked by two upraised hands

Bulgaria three equal horizontal bands of white (top), green, and red; the national emblem formerly on the hoist side of the white stripe has been removed - it contained a rampant lion within a wreath of wheat ears below a red five-pointed star and above a ribbon bearing the dates 681 (first Bulgarian state established) and 1944 (liberation from Nazi control)

Burkina Faso two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a yellow five-pointed star in the center; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia

Burma red with a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing, 14 white five-pointed stars encircling a cogwheel containing a stalk of rice; the 14 stars represent the 7 administrative divisions and 7 states

Burundi divided by a white diagonal cross into red panels (top and bottom) and green panels (hoist side and outer side) with a white disk superimposed at the center bearing three red six-pointed stars outlined in green arranged in a triangular design (one star above, two stars below)

Cambodia three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (double width), and blue with a white three-towered temple representing Angkor Wat outlined in black in the center of the red band; only national flag to incorporate a building in its design

Cameroon three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), red, and yellow with a yellow five-pointed star centered in the red band; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia

Canada two vertical bands of red (hoist and fly side, half width), with white square between them; an 11-pointed red maple leaf is centered in the white square; the official colors of Canada are red and white

Cape Verde three horizontal bands of light blue (top, double width), white (with a horizontal red stripe in the middle third), and light blue; a circle of 10 yellow five-pointed stars is centered on the hoist end of the red stripe and extends into the upper and lower blue bands

Cayman Islands blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Caymanian coat of arms centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms includes a pineapple and turtle above a shield with three stars (representing the three islands) and a scroll at the bottom bearing the motto HE HATH FOUNDED IT UPON THE SEAS

Central African Republic four equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, green, and yellow with a vertical red band in center; there is a yellow five-pointed star on the hoist side of the blue band

Chad three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red; similar to the flag of Romania; also similar to the flags of Andorra and Moldova, both of which have a national coat of arms centered in the yellow band; design was based on the flag of France

Chile two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red; there is a blue square the same height as the white band at the hoist-side end of the white band; the square bears a white five-pointed star in the center representing a guide to progress and honor; blue symbolizes the sky, white is for the snow-covered Andes, and red stands for the blood spilled to achieve independence; design was influenced by the US flag

China red with a large yellow five-pointed star and four smaller yellow five-pointed stars (arranged in a vertical arc toward the middle of the flag) in the upper hoist-side corner

Christmas Island the flag of Australia is used; note - in early 1986, the Christmas Island Assembly held a design competition for an island flag, however, the winning design has never been formally adopted as the official flag of the territory

Clipperton Island the flag of France is used

Cocos (Keeling) Islands the flag of Australia is used

Colombia three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double-width), blue, and red; similar to the flag of Ecuador, which is longer and bears the Ecuadorian coat of arms superimposed in the center

Comoros four equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), white, red, and blue with a green isosceles triangle based on the hoist; centered within the triangle is a white crescent with the convex side facing the hoist and four white, five-pointed stars placed vertically in a line between the points of the crescent; the horizontal bands and the four stars represent the four main islands of the archipelago - Mwali, Njazidja, Nzwani, and Mayotte (a territorial collectivity of France, but claimed by Comoros); the crescent, stars, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam

Congo, Democratic Republic of the light blue with a large yellow five-pointed star in the center and a columnar arrangement of six small yellow five-pointed stars along the hoist side

Congo, Republic of the divided diagonally from the lower hoist side by a yellow band; the upper triangle (hoist side) is green and the lower triangle is red; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia

Cook Islands blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and a large circle of 15 white five-pointed stars (one for every island) centered in the outer half of the flag

Coral Sea Islands the flag of Australia is used

Costa Rica five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red (double width), white, and blue, with the coat of arms in a white elliptical disk on the hoist side of the red band; above the coat of arms a light blue ribbon contains the words, AMERICA CENTRAL, and just below it near the top of the coat of arms is a white ribbon with the words, REPUBLICA COSTA RICA

Cote d'Ivoire three equal vertical bands of orange (hoist side), white, and green; similar to the flag of Ireland, which is longer and has the colors reversed - green (hoist side), white, and orange; also similar to the flag of Italy, which is green (hoist side), white, and red; design was based on the flag of France

Croatia red, white, and blue horizontal bands with Croatian coat of arms (red and white checkered)

Cuba five equal horizontal bands of blue (top and bottom) alternating with white; a red equilateral triangle based on the hoist side bears a white, five-pointed star in the center; design influenced by the US flag

Cyprus white with a copper-colored silhouette of the island (the name Cyprus is derived from the Greek word for copper) above two green crossed olive branches in the center of the flag; the branches symbolize the hope for peace and reconciliation between the Greek and Turkish communities note: the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" flag has a horizontal red stripe at the top and bottom between which is a red crescent and red star on a white field

Czech Republic two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red with a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side (identical to the flag of the former Czechoslovakia)

Denmark red with a white cross that extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side, and that design element of the Dannebrog (Danish flag) was subsequently adopted by the other Nordic countries of Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden

Dhekelia the flag of the UK is used

Djibouti two equal horizontal bands of light blue (top) and light green with a white isosceles triangle based on the hoist side bearing a red five-pointed star in the center

Dominica green, with a centered cross of three equal bands - the vertical part is yellow (hoist side), black, and white and the horizontal part is yellow (top), black, and white; superimposed in the center of the cross is a red disk bearing a sisserou parrot encircled by 10 green, five-pointed stars edged in yellow; the 10 stars represent the 10 administrative divisions (parishes)

Dominican Republic a centered white cross that extends to the edges divides the flag into four rectangles - the top ones are blue (hoist side) and red, and the bottom ones are red (hoist side) and blue; a small coat of arms featuring a shield supported by an olive branch (left) and a palm branch (right) is at the center of the cross; above the shield a blue ribbon displays the motto, DIOS, PATRIA, LIBERTAD (God, Fatherland, Liberty), and below the shield, REPUBLICA DOMINICANA appears on a red ribbon

East Timor red, with a black isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) superimposed on a slightly longer yellow arrowhead that extends to the center of the flag; there is a white star in the center of the black triangle

Ecuador three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double width), blue, and red with the coat of arms superimposed at the center of the flag; similar to the flag of Colombia, which is shorter and does not bear a coat of arms

Egypt three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black; the national emblem (a gold Eagle of Saladin facing the hoist side with a shield superimposed on its chest above a scroll bearing the name of the country in Arabic) centered in the white band; design is based on the Arab Liberation flag and similar to the flag of Syria, which has two green stars, Iraq, which has three green stars (plus an Arabic inscription) in a horizontal line centered in the white band, and Yemen, which has a plain white band

El Salvador three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue with the national coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms features a round emblem encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL; similar to the flag of Nicaragua, which has a different coat of arms centered in the white band - it features a triangle encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom; also similar to the flag of Honduras, which has five blue stars arranged in an X pattern centered in the white band

Equatorial Guinea three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red with a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side and the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms has six yellow six-pointed stars (representing the mainland and five offshore islands) above a gray shield bearing a silk-cotton tree and below which is a scroll with the motto UNIDAD, PAZ, JUSTICIA (Unity, Peace, Justice)

Eritrea red isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) dividing the flag into two right triangles; the upper triangle is green, the lower one is blue; a gold wreath encircling a gold olive branch is centered on the hoist side of the red triangle

Estonia pre-1940 flag restored by Supreme Soviet in May 1990 - three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), black, and white

Ethiopia three equal horizontal bands of green (top), yellow, and red with a yellow pentagram and single yellow rays emanating from the angles between the points on a light blue disk centered on the three bands; Ethiopia is the oldest independent country in Africa, and the three main colors of her flag were so often adopted by other African countries upon independence that they became known as the pan-African colors

Europa Island the flag of France is used

European Union on a blue field, 12 five-pointed gold stars arranged in a circle, representing the union of the peoples of Europe; the number of stars is fixed

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Falkland Island coat of arms centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms contains a white ram (sheep raising is the major economic activity) above the sailing ship Desire (whose crew discovered the islands) with a scroll at the bottom bearing the motto DESIRE THE RIGHT

Faroe Islands white with a red cross outlined in blue extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted toward the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)

Fiji light blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Fijian shield centered on the outer half of the flag; the shield depicts a yellow lion above a white field quartered by the cross of Saint George featuring stalks of sugarcane, a palm tree, bananas, and a white dove

Finland white with a blue cross extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)

France three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), white, and red; known as the "Le drapeau tricolore" (French Tricolor), the origin of the flag dates to 1790 and the French Revolution; the design and/or colors are similar to a number of other flags, including those of Belgium, Chad, Ireland, Cote d'Ivoire, Luxembourg, and Netherlands; the official flag for all French dependent areas

French Guiana the flag of France is used

French Polynesia two narrow red horizontal bands encase a wide white band; centered on the white band is a disk with blue and white wave pattern on the lower half and gold and white ray pattern on the upper half; a stylized red, blue and white ship rides on the wave pattern; the French flag is used for official occasions

French Southern and Antarctic Lands the flag of France is used

Gabon three equal horizontal bands of green (top), yellow, and blue

Gambia, The three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue with white edges, and green

Georgia white rectangle, in its central portion a red cross connecting all four sides of the flag; in each of the four corners is a small red bolnur-katskhuri cross; the five-cross flag appears to date back to the 14th century

Germany three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and gold

Ghana three equal horizontal bands of red (top), yellow, and green with a large black five-pointed star centered in the yellow band; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia; similar to the flag of Bolivia, which has a coat of arms centered in the yellow band